Religion Notes: March 30

Published: Monday, April 1, 2013 at 8:52 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 1, 2013 at 8:52 a.m.

The Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship at 2021 Kanuga Road will host the Friction Farm, a concert of music, storytelling, social commentary and good humor at 7 p.m. today.

Friction Farm is Aidan Quinn on guitar and vocals and Christine Stay, vocalist and bass player. This is their second appearance at the Fellowship. In 2011 the duo had a big hit with "Ballad of the Lone Sock." That year it was named a Kerrville New Folk Finalist and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist. Check out a sample of the music at www. frictionfarm.com.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. At the break, homemade treats will be available. A $15 donation is suggested. The funds go toward the UU community mission of justice, equality and compassion in all human relations.

Agudas Israel sponsors seminars

Agudas Israel Congregation at 505 Glasgow Lane has begun a speakers series called Sunday Seminars.

The lectures are scheduled for 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at the synagogue. The next installment on April 24 will feature Richard Naylor, who has extensive knowledge of Islam and the Middle East. He has been featured locally at Blue Ridge Community College in its Center for Lifelong Learning, as well as other venues around the county.

Naylor will speak on the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East and its impact on the issues between the Muslim world, its Israeli neighbors and the West in general.

Seminars slated for June, July, August, September and October will address topics such as evolutionary psychology, medical ethics and the ethical dilemma of death with dignity, "How I Spent My First Session in Congress" by Rep. Mark Meadows, and a panel discussion of the differences and similarities between the three main branches of Judaism.

Forums on tenets, future of Islam

The United Religions Initiative will host forums on the tenets and future of Islam from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, April 10, 17, 21 and May 1, in the Felix building at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W..

The series will explore an important religion and a vital part of today's world. The free sessions will examine the common ground between Islam and other religions, including Judaism and Christianity.

Led by Professor Ahmad Abu Amara and Lina Adas, with help from Rabbi Philip Bentley and John Snodgrass, each class will include two lecture and question sections, divided by a break for examining Islamic art and culture. Also available will be authentic Middle Eastern and American refreshments. The topics for each session are:

I: Introduction to Islam and Women in Islam.

II; Rise of Islam and The Five Pillars of Islam

III: The Qur'an and Jihad, Shari'ah

IV: Worship and Contemporary Islam.

V: Comparisons and differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

For details, call 828-692-9755 or email pnkherriott@aol.com.

Adult forums at First Congregational

Weekly adult forums continue at 9:15 a.m. April 7 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W. in the Felix Building. The schedule is as follows:

u April 7: "The Legacy of Howard Thurman" will be Michael J.S. Carter's topic. Pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Black Mountain, Carter is well-versed on the life and writings of Howard Thurman, an African-American scholar and author who greatly influenced Martin Luther King Jr.

u April 14: Hal Littleton will take "A New Look at Paul." A retired religion professor, Littleton will discuss the book on Paul that he is currently writing.

u April 21: Diane Rhoades will be "Celebrating the Mystic Life ... with Worms." Rhoades, a worm rancher of 24 years, will bring her worms to the forum and shed light on the surprising ways that these small, muscular friends give us vitamins, minerals and a healthier life.

u April 28: Jim Nourse, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the Center for Integrated Health and Healing in Brevard, will discuss "Transpersonal Psychology." This is a school of psychology that advocates that the spiritual component of life is a vital part of a person's well-being. Although the transpersonal psychologist does not advocate for any particular religion or denomination, he believes that individuals are helped by learning to discover within themselves sources of wisdom, inspiration and a deeper understanding of their relationship to the whole of life.

Call 828-692-8630 for more information.

First Alliance Church missions conference

The First Alliance Church at 1821 Windsor Drive in Laurel Park will host its annual Missions Conference Friday through April 7.

This year's conference spotlights the Christian and Missionary Alliance's work in Mali, Africa. Guest speakers Randy and Marsha Barnwell will share their experiences with the International Fellowship of Alliance Professionals.

Below is a schedule of events:

u 6 p.m. Friday: International potluck dinner in Freeman Fellowship Hall, followed by a service in the sanctuary with the Barnwells.

u 8:30 a.m. April 6: The church members and the community are invited to a pancake breakfast with Randy Barnwell. The ladies host Marsha Barnwell at a 10 a.m. brunch.

u 9 a.m. April 7: The combined Sunday school will have a question-and-answer session with this couple. Following this, the congregation will hold regular morning worship service at 10:15 a.m. The service will include, by popular request, the traditional "parade of nations" and a time of prayer for the Barnwells' work in Africa.

u 10:15 a.m. April 14: In conclusion, the service will be led by Pastor Virgil Adams, who serves in Indonesia and has many inspiring stories to tell about his endeavors in Southeast Asia.

<p>Unitarians hosting Friction Farm concert</p><p>The Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship at 2021 Kanuga Road will host the Friction Farm, a concert of music, storytelling, social commentary and good humor at 7 p.m. today.</p><p>Friction Farm is Aidan Quinn on guitar and vocals and Christine Stay, vocalist and bass player. This is their second appearance at the Fellowship. In 2011 the duo had a big hit with "Ballad of the Lone Sock." That year it was named a Kerrville New Folk Finalist and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist. Check out a sample of the music at www. frictionfarm.com.</p><p>Doors open at 6:30 p.m. At the break, homemade treats will be available. A $15 donation is suggested. The funds go toward the UU community mission of justice, equality and compassion in all human relations.</p><p>Agudas Israel sponsors seminars</p><p>Agudas Israel Congregation at 505 Glasgow Lane has begun a speakers series called Sunday Seminars. </p><p>The lectures are scheduled for 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at the synagogue. The next installment on April 24 will feature Richard Naylor, who has extensive knowledge of Islam and the Middle East. He has been featured locally at Blue Ridge Community College in its Center for Lifelong Learning, as well as other venues around the county.</p><p>Naylor will speak on the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East and its impact on the issues between the Muslim world, its Israeli neighbors and the West in general.</p><p>Seminars slated for June, July, August, September and October will address topics such as evolutionary psychology, medical ethics and the ethical dilemma of death with dignity, "How I Spent My First Session in Congress" by Rep. Mark Meadows, and a panel discussion of the differences and similarities between the three main branches of Judaism.</p><p>Forums on tenets, future of Islam</p><p>The United Religions Initiative will host forums on the tenets and future of Islam from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, April 10, 17, 21 and May 1, in the Felix building at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W.. </p><p>The series will explore an important religion and a vital part of today's world. The free sessions will examine the common ground between Islam and other religions, including Judaism and Christianity. </p><p>Led by Professor Ahmad Abu Amara and Lina Adas, with help from Rabbi Philip Bentley and John Snodgrass, each class will include two lecture and question sections, divided by a break for examining Islamic art and culture. Also available will be authentic Middle Eastern and American refreshments. The topics for each session are:</p><p>I: Introduction to Islam and Women in Islam.</p><p>II; Rise of Islam and The Five Pillars of Islam</p><p>III: The Qur'an and Jihad, Shari'ah</p><p>IV: Worship and Contemporary Islam.</p><p>V: Comparisons and differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. </p><p>For details, call 828-692-9755 or email pnkherriott@aol.com.</p><p>Adult forums at First Congregational</p><p>Weekly adult forums continue at 9:15 a.m. April 7 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W. in the Felix Building. The schedule is as follows:</p><p>u April 7: "The Legacy of Howard Thurman" will be Michael J.S. Carter's topic. Pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Black Mountain, Carter is well-versed on the life and writings of Howard Thurman, an African-American scholar and author who greatly influenced Martin Luther King Jr. </p><p>u April 14: Hal Littleton will take "A New Look at Paul." A retired religion professor, Littleton will discuss the book on Paul that he is currently writing. </p><p>u April 21: Diane Rhoades will be "Celebrating the Mystic Life ... with Worms." Rhoades, a worm rancher of 24 years, will bring her worms to the forum and shed light on the surprising ways that these small, muscular friends give us vitamins, minerals and a healthier life.</p><p>u April 28: Jim Nourse, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the Center for Integrated Health and Healing in Brevard, will discuss "Transpersonal Psychology." This is a school of psychology that advocates that the spiritual component of life is a vital part of a person's well-being. Although the transpersonal psychologist does not advocate for any particular religion or denomination, he believes that individuals are helped by learning to discover within themselves sources of wisdom, inspiration and a deeper understanding of their relationship to the whole of life.</p><p>Call 828-692-8630 for more information.</p><p>First Alliance Church missions conference</p><p>The First Alliance Church at 1821 Windsor Drive in Laurel Park will host its annual Missions Conference Friday through April 7.</p><p>This year's conference spotlights the Christian and Missionary Alliance's work in Mali, Africa. Guest speakers Randy and Marsha Barnwell will share their experiences with the International Fellowship of Alliance Professionals.</p><p>Below is a schedule of events:</p><p>u 6 p.m. Friday: International potluck dinner in Freeman Fellowship Hall, followed by a service in the sanctuary with the Barnwells.</p><p>u 8:30 a.m. April 6: The church members and the community are invited to a pancake breakfast with Randy Barnwell. The ladies host Marsha Barnwell at a 10 a.m. brunch.</p><p>u 9 a.m. April 7: The combined Sunday school will have a question-and-answer session with this couple. Following this, the congregation will hold regular morning worship service at 10:15 a.m. The service will include, by popular request, the traditional "parade of nations" and a time of prayer for the Barnwells' work in Africa.</p><p>u 10:15 a.m. April 14: In conclusion, the service will be led by Pastor Virgil Adams, who serves in Indonesia and has many inspiring stories to tell about his endeavors in Southeast Asia. </p><p>Call 828-692-3814 for more information.</p>